The 10-Step Korean Skin Care Regimen: What It Is and How It Works

There's a reason people swear by this routine.

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I'll admit, I have been #blessed throughout my life with never having to deal with truly bad acne. Aside from the monthly blemishes and congested pores, my skin hasn't been so bad to me. But, in the past few months I've started hearing more and more about Korean beauty products and the 10-step Korean Skin Care routine, and of course I had to try out the latest trend in the beauty world. I have never looked back and my skin has never looked better.

Ready to learn what the 10 steps are?

1. Oil-Based Cleanser

An oil-based cleanser can also be thought of as a makeup remover. This strips your face of any makeup, sweat, or dirt that has built up on your face throughout the day or night. An oil-based cleanser is also great to throw into your gym bag and freshen up your face after an intense workout.

Although this technically isn't an oil-based cleanser, I currently use the Yes to Coconut Micellar Cleansing Water to remove my makeup before my actual cleanser (this stuff is amazing, it smells like the beach and doesn't burn your eyes... BOOYAH!). One of the most popular oil-based cleansers is the BANILA CO Clean It Zero. This stuff is a solid balm that transforms into an oil and dissolves all of your makeup—if you're a fan of cult-products, this one is for you.

2. Water-Based Cleanser

If double-cleansing freaks you out too much, it's ok to just stick to a water-based cleanser. The great thing about double-cleansing is that you are not only getting rid of all the dirt and makeup on your face, but you are also wiping away the residue from the oil cleanser and everything else.

3. Exfoliator

Unlike some of the other steps, exfoliating is only suggested for a few times per week. Personally, I like to lightly exfoliate every night using my FOREO LUNA mini along with my cleanser, but a heavier exfoliator like Lush's ocean salt is best for only a few days a week.

Typical Korean exfoliators can range from scrubs to chemical peel masks. It really all depends on your preferences, but these will get all of the dead skin off of your face and prepare it for the rest of the steps.

4. Toner

I'd say the toner is one of my favorite steps of this skin-care regime. Toner helps balance your skin's pH levels and prepares it to be rehydrated. I like to think of a toner as a refresher. I currently use a toner from belif (I am obsessed with this brand) but others include KLAIRS Supple Preparation Facial Toner or even SON&PARK Beauty Water.

5. Essence

An essence is basically what you would get if toner and serum had a child. Some say that essence is the "heart of Korean skin care" but I feel that you can get the same effect just by using toner and serum. A cult-favorite essence is the MISSHA Time Revolution First Treatment Essence, which is a little pricier, but many people swear by it so it must be worth it.

6. Serum

Ok, I said that toner was one of my favorite steps, but I think serum wins. Serum is more silky, concentrated, and thicker than toner and depending on the product, it can target brightening or even anti-aging. I absolutely love the InstaNatural Vitamin C Facial Toner, and after using it for a few days my skin developed a sort of glow that I had never experienced before. If you are looking to #treatyoself the Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Fremboos Glycolic Night Serum is a great solution for dullness, minimizing pores, and uneven skin-tone.

7. Sheet Mask

Unless you want to scare your roommate every night, sheet masks are only recommended for a couple times a week. The most fun step in this regimen are the sheet masks. They are not only a great opportunity to sit back and relax, but also to give your skin some of the TLC it needs. Sheet masks are great because they're cheap enough that you can mix and match to find the perfect one for you. My favorites are MANEFIT Bling Bling Hydro Gel Mask - Wrinkle Gold and Natural Gift Green Tea Pore Care Sheet Mask.

8. Eye Cream

In the wise words of my mom, "you're never too young to start using eye cream." No one wants wrinkles or bags under their eyes and eye creams help with that. Eye creams specialize in moisturizing the skin under your eyes and hopefully reverse the effects of aging (I wish!). I've heard that the Cremorlab Shadow-Off Eye Cream works wonders, but I have yet to try it. I currently love Origins GinXing Refreshing Eye Cream, especially after those nights where I got a little less sleep than I would have liked.

9. Moisturizer

Moisturizer is the thing that locks everything in. Hydration is one of the most important principles of Korean Skin Care, so it's important not to settle for a cheap moisturizer. As you're probably aware by now, I love belif skincare. If I was stranded on a deserted island, The True Cream Aqua Bomb moisturizer would be the one thing I would make sure I had. I always had a problem with moisturizers just sitting on my skin, but this one leaves my skin feeling hydrated without losing the glow from my serum.

10. SPF

Last, but certainly not least, is SPF. It's just like flossing; everyone knows they're supposed to do it, but no one really does. Even when it isn't sunny outside, UV rays still travel through the clouds and without sun protection, can skin harm your skin and speed up the aging process. SPF is recommended for use at the end of your morning skincare routine. Luckily, many B.B. creams and foundations on the market have SPF in them, but if not, the MISSHA Mild Essence Sun Milk is a great, inexpensive, cult-classic.

In my journey through the world of Korean Skin Care, I have learned a couple of things. First, everyone's skin is different. Some products may work wonders for some people, but be horrendous for others. The growing popularity of Korean Skin Care also means that there are a ton of different options to mix and match so that you can find the perfect routine for you.

The second thing that I learned is that consistency is key. With everything, you aren't going to see a change overnight. Lastly, 10-steps is a lot. Start with a few, get yourself into the routine, and then add a couple more steps. All in all, the Korean Skin Care Regimen is all its cracked up to be. I swear by it now, and hopefully this will encourage you to try it, too.